Chapter 2 Methods

Question 1

Empiricism

Answer 1

The belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation.

Question 2

Scientific Method

Answer 2

A set of principles about the appropriate relationship between ideas and evidence.

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

A hypothetical explanation of a natural phenomenon.

Question 4

Hypothesis.

Answer 4

A falsafiable prediction made by a theory.

Question 5

Rule of Parsimony for Theory

Answer 5

Find the simplest theory.

Question 6

William Ockham

Answer 6

K.I.S.S.

Question 7

Evidence never ___ theory.

Answer 7

Proves.

Question 8

Empirical Method

Answer 8

A set of rules and techniques for observation.

Question 9

Operational Definition

Answer 9

A description of a property in concrete, measurable terms.

Question 10

Two kinds of methods that help overcome the difficulty in studying humans:

Answer 10

Observataion, which determines what they do, and explanation, which determines why they do it.

Question 11

Good measures have three things:

Answer 11

Validity, reliability, and power.

Question 12

Measure

Answer 12

A device that can detect the condition to which an operationl definition refers.

Question 13

EMG

Answer 13

Electromyograph, a device that measures muscle contractions under the surface of a person’s skin.

Question 14

Validity

Answer 14

The extent to which a measurement and a property are conceptually related.

Question 15

Reliability

Answer 15

The tendency for a measure to produce the same measurement whenever it is used to measure the same thing.

Question 16

Power

Answer 16

The ability of a measure to detect the concrete conditions specified in the operational definition.

Question 17

Demand Characteristics

Answer 17

Thse aspects of an observation; setting that cause people to bahave as they think they should.

Question 18

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 18

A technique for gathering scientific information by unobtrusively observing people in their natural environments.

Question 19

Cover Stories

Answer 19

Misleading explanations that are meant to keep people from discerning the true purpose of of an observation.

Question 20

Filler Items

Answer 20

Pointless measures that are designed to mislead you about the true purpose of the observation.

Question 21

Expectations can influence ___ and ___.

Answer 21

Observations, reality.

Question 22

Double Blind

Answer 22

An observation whose true purpose is hidden from both the observer and the person being observed.

Question 23

Frequency Distribution

Answer 23

A graphical representation of measurements arranged by the number of times each measurement was made.

Question 24

Normal Distribution

Answer 24

A mathematically defined frequency distribution in which most measurements are concentrated around the middle.

Question 25

Mode

Answer 25

Most frequently occuring measurement.

Question 26

Mean

Answer 26

Average of measurements.

Question 27

Median

Answer 27

Middle memasurement.

Question 28

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 28

Brief summary statements that capture essential information about frequency distribution.

Question 29

Two types of descriptive statistics:

Answer 29

Central tendency and variability.

Question 30

When a graph is positively skewed, the mean, median, and mode are shifted...

Answer 30

Left.

Question 31

When a graph is negatively skewed, the mean, median, and mode are shifted...

Answer 31

Right.

Question 32

Range

Answer 32

The value of the largest measurement in a frequency distribution minus the value of the smallest frequency.

Question 33

Standard Deviation

Answer 33

A statistic that describes the average difference between the measurements in a frequency distribution and the mean of that distribution.

Question 34

Scientific research aims to establish...

Answer 34

Causal relationships between properties.

Question 35

Variable

Answer 35

A property whose value can vary across individuals or over time.

Question 36

Correlation

Answer 36

Two variables are said to be correlated when variations in the value of one variable are synchronized with variation in the value of the other.

Question 37

Positive Correlation

Answer 37

More-more or less-less.

Question 38

Negative Correlation

Answer 38

More-less or less-more.

Question 39

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 39

Measure of the direction and strength of a correlation.

Question 40

Natural Correlation

Answer 40

A correlation observed in the world around us.

Question 41

Third-Variable Correlation

Answer 41

The fact that two variables are correlated only because each is causally related to a third variable.

Question 42

Matched Samples

Answer 42

A technique whereby the participants in two groups are identical in terms of a third variable.

Question 43

Matched Pairs

Answer 43

A technique whereby each participant is identical to one other participant in terms of a third variable.

Question 44

Third Variable Problem

Answer 44

The fact that a causal relationship between two variables cannot be infererred from the naturally occuring correlation between them because of the ever-present possibility of third-variable correlation.

Question 45

Experiment

Answer 45

A technique for establishing the causal relationship between variables.

Question 46

Experiments can eliminate differences by ___ and ___.

Answer 46

Manipulation and random assignment.

Question 47

Manipulation

Answer 47

Creation of an artificial pattern of variation in a variable on irder to determine its causal powers.

Question 48

Independent Variable

Answer 48

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Question 49

Experimental Group

Answer 49

The group of people who are treated in a particular way, as compated to the control group, in an experiment.

Question 50

Control Group

Answer 50

The group of people who are not treated in the particular way that the experimental group is treated in an experiment.

Question 51

Dependent Variable

Answer 51

The variable that is measured in a study.

Question 52

Self-Selection

Answer 52

A problem that occus when anything about a person determines whether he or she will be included in the experimental or control group.

Question 53

Random Assignment

Answer 53

A procedure that uses a random event to assign people to the experimental or control group.

Question 54

Internal Validity

Answer 54

The characteristic of an experiment that establishes the causal relationship between variables.

Question 55

External Validity

Answer 55

A property of an experiment in which the variables have been operationally defined in a normal, typical, or realistic way.

Question 56

Population

Answer 56

The complete collection of participants who might possibly be measured.

Question 57

Sample

Answer 57

The partial collection of people drawn from a population.

Question 58

Case Method.

Answer 58

A method of gathering scientific knowledge by studying a single individual.

Question 59

Random Sampling

Answer 59

A technique for chooseing participants that ensures that every member of a population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.

Question 60

Informed Consent

Answer 60

A written agreement to participate in a study made by an adult who has been informed of all risks that participation may entail.

Question 61

Debriefing

Answer 61

A verbal description of the true nature and purpose of the study.